West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has said that her government will pay Rs 1,000 as pocket money to migrant labourers from the state who are stranded in other parts of the country due to the Covid -19 induced lockdown.
“The other states are making arrangements for them. But they don”t have money. So, we have decided to give them Rs 1,000 each,” Banerjee said .
She said the money would be paid online or through the Paytm app.
She asked the district magistrates to do a background check for ascertaining that the beneficiaries are bonafide residents of Bengal.
Ever since the lockdown the migrant labourers have been left stranded at many states with work coming to a halt and they are keen to go back home . After having exhausted all their money . Some even decided to go on foot with train and inter- state bus services suspended. Ever since the announcement of the lockdown on March 24 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It was initially for three weeks up to April 15. But was extended for another two weeks till May 3 due to the surge in COVID-19 cases .
